R is for Rehabilitate

Rob Johnston was one of the REF members out and about early this morning joining the Redcliffe City Council's Tree Planting activity at Glanville Park.

Streets around the area were clogged as many residents from all sorts of organisations joined in to plant trees and shrubs raised at the Botanic Gardens.

While many people were claiming their 5th year of involvement in the program, David was happy to be completing his second year apprenticeship.

Shadow Minister discusses Climate Change

Peter Garrett, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, the Environment and Heritage ( and the Arts ) addressed a Climate Change forum in Redcliffe this morning on behalf of the Labor candidate for Petrie, Yvette D'Ath.

Both Peter and Yvette spoke passionately about their commitment to environmental issues associated with climate change. Peter fielded questions for close to 45 minutes from members of the audience.

Local community environment groups were invited to set up displays at the Forum and REF was one group which took advantage of the opportunity.

The Shadow Minister was kind enough to stop for a couple of photos.

REF members are referred to Peter Garrett's website http://www.petergarrett.com.au/ for more information or to Yvette D'Ath's website http://www.alp.org.au/people/qld/d

Given that REF is a non-political FORUM established to be a vehicle for the discussion of local environmental issues, members will be advised when future invitations are made to our organisation by other political organisations.

Peter Garrett, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, The Environment and Heritage

with REF Secretary David Lergessner

ACF Climate Action Workshop

The Australian Conservation Foundation has invited REF members to a FREE Community Climate Action Workshop.

This will be held on Monday July 30 from 6pm - 8.30pm. in St Anne's Anglican Church Hall, Mein Street, Scarborough.

To book a place, call 1800 223 669.

ALP candidates to discuss Climate Change

Federal Labor Environment spokesperson, Peter Garrett, will be joining local ALP candidate Yvette D'Ath to discuss Labor's plan for tackling climate change on Saturday July 28 at 10am at the CWA Hall Redcliffe Parade Redcliffe.

REF members are invited to attend this session.

REF has been invited to set up a display and that invitation has been accepted.

Members can accept the invitation by RSVP to yvette.dath@alp.org.au or by phoning 3359 5297.

National Tree Day

REF members are asked to join in the Redcliffe City Council's National Tree Day activities on Sunday July 29.

Many of us joined this effort as individuals last year.

The site is Glanville Park at the northern end of Gynther Road. Here the Council is attempting to revegetate an area bordering the Deception Bay wetlands with locally endemic trees, shrubs and ground cover.

Starting time is 9am and you need to bring your own shovel/trowel, gloves and hat ( and sunscreen )

This has got to help in our carbon-neutral program.

Hope to see you there.

David

REF acknowledges Peg Walsh - local 'eco-warrior'

Members of the Redcliffe community took time out last night to honour one of its own - Peg Walsh.

Peg has been deeply involved in any number of Redcliffe's environmental organisations from Koala Care to the Peninsula Environment Group to the recently formed Redcliffe Environmental Forum.

Peg was a foundation member of the Forum having called the first meeting of the group at Hays Inlet in 2005. Peg has decided to resign from the REF Committee for personal reasons.

At last night's 07/07/07 'Climate Change' presentation ( organised by Peg ) by the Forum, President Bob Crudgington and Patron Rae Frawley combined to present Peg with the above award honouring Peg's many years of commitment to saving Redcliffe's natural environment.

Peg may no longer be in the front row but she won't be far behind it.

Redcliffe's Own 'Live Earth' presentation

While millions around the world listened to rock stars advising people on how to save the planet, around 120 people gathered at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre to hear Caboolture resident Dr Matt Gray elaborate on Al Gore's 'Inconvenient Truth' message being spread around the globe.

The event was one of the major activites of the Forum this year focussing on one of REF's major goals - to "E"ducate people about the environment. Dr Gray's services had been enlisted by Committee member Peg Walsh and an number of Redcliffe residents had combined to sponsor the hiring of the Cultural Centre.

Dr. Gray demonstrated with a powerpoint of dramatic NASA photos of our planet and a volume of statistics how the activities of people can be related to be spiking the world's average temperatures far beyond anything which has happened in the immediate past.

Dr. Gray's message was that while people such as the residents of Redcliffe can do their bit individually, it was also up to those residents to elect governments of all shapes and sizes which would implement 'carbon neutral' programs for the wider good of humanity.

Whether you were a sceptic or not, the message to act locally and think globally was one which could not be ignored.

The evening was sponsored by the following local organisations:

Manic Multimedia P/L
Clark Rubber, Rothwell
Tray On Campers
Private Financial Group

REF appreciates the contribution made by these organisations towards funding the event.